Thoracoscopic management of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumours

BACKGROUND: This study describes the surgical technique of thoracoscopic resection of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumours and reporting the surgical outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 21 patients operated over 7 years in a dedicated thoracic surgery centre. The demographic and post-operative parameters along with complications were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Twelve patients had right-sided tumours, while 9 had left-sided lesions, and 9 were on the left side. The most common diagnosis was schwannoma (n = 15, 71.42%), followed by neurofibroma (n = 4, 19.04%). The average surgery duration was 104 min (85–135 min), and the mean blood loss was 120 ml (25 ml–250 ml). The average lesion size was 4.8 cm (2 cm–7 cm). Conversion to open procedure was required in one patient. Two patients (14.2%) developed complications. One patient developed Horner's Syndrome and the other developed post-operative lung atelectasis. The median follow-up was 36 months (6–90 months). No recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic approach to posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumours is feasible and allows for low morbidity, short hospital stay and superior cosmesis.